The Works of Frederick Schiller, Early Dramas and Romances: The Robbers, Fiesco, Love and Intrigue, Demetrius, the Ghost-Seer, and the Sport of Destiny

I AM about to relate an adventure, which to many will appear
incredible, but of which I was in great part an eye-witness.
The few who are acquainted with a certain political event
will, if indeed these pages should happen to find them alive,
receive a welcome solution thereof. And, even to the rest
of my readers, it will be, perhaps, important as a contribution to the history of the deception and aberrations of
the human intellect. The boldness of the schemes which
malice is able to contemplate and to carry out must excite
astonishment, as must also the means of which it can avail
itself to accomplish its aims. Clear unvarnished truth shall
guide my pen; for, when these pages come before the public,
I shall be no more, and shall therefore never learn their fate.

On my return to Courland in the year 17--, about the time
of the Carnival, I visited the Prince of ----- at Venice.
We had been acquainted in the ----- service, and we here
renewed an intimacy which, by the restoration of peace,
had been interrupted. As I wished to see the curiosities of
this city, and as the prince was waiting only for the arrival of
remittances to return to his native country, he easily prevailed
on me to tarry till his departure. We agreed not to separate
during the time of our residence at Venice, and the prince
was kind enough to accommodate me at his lodgings at the
Moor Hotel.

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